The International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) was a proud sponsor of the 11th edition of TD Bank’s “10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians” award ceremony. The awards were presented by Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Executive Director for Canada at the Inter-American Development Bank and His Worship John Tory, Mayor of Toronto.
ILAC’s Founders and Co-Presidents, Ilan Cohen and Jonathan Kolber, introduced the award winners and showed ILAC’s support to the Hispanic community in Canada by announcing a donation of $100,000 towards a new scholarship program for women from Spanish speaking countries (details to come), aligning to the ILAC Foundation’s mission of supporting women in leadership and scholarship.
Jonathan Kolber and Ilan Cohen, ILAC’s Founders and Co-Presidents with sponsors and award winners at the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians Award Ceremony
Ten outstanding community members from Uruguay, Guatemala, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Argentina, took home an award that represents the continuous hard work and dedication put into their respective careers, ranging from scientists to likely the only Hispanic Justice of the Peace in Canada.
TD Bank’s 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians – 2017:
- Alex Barrotti – Uruguay: Serial tech entrepreneur, founder of Touch Bistro
- Carlos Gonzales Prado – Guatemala: Philosopher, Fellow at Royal Society of Canada
- Daniel Garcia Herreros – Colombia: ED, Pan American Food & Music Festival
- Felix Mora – Chile: Likely the only Hispanic Justice of the Peace in Canada
- Francisco Ucan Marin – Mexico: Biology writer, scientist, and entrepreneur
- Jorge Filmus – Argentina: Sr. Scientist (Cancer), Sunnybrook Institute
- Mercedes Rowinsky-Geurts – Uruguay: Former Dean and current professor, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Noemi Weis – Argentina: Human rights filmmaker, founder of Filmblanc
- Paola Ardiles – Chile: Champion/Social Innovation & Health, Simon Fraser University
- Rosa Bruno-Jofré – Argentina: Former Dean of Education and professor, Queen’s University
Mayor Tory raised awareness about the importance of the Hispanic community in Canada. “Hispanics are the third largest group of immigrants, after China and the Phillippines, coming to Canada with hard work and fun!”
Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski highlighted interesting facts about the Hispanic community as well, sharing how “the Hispanic community is one of the fastest growing and more dynamic communities in Canada. It’s a useful educational, entrepreneurial and dynamic community.
The event was a great networking opportunity for Hispanics in Canada, learning about different initiatives and organizations for the improvement of the community.
To learn more about TD Bank’s 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians, visit hispanicbusiness.ca
